Trim connecting assembly



H. D. DRAIN 2,599,322

TRIM CONNECTING ASSEMBLY `lune 3, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed July l. 1949 June 3, 1952 H. D; DRAEN TRIM CONNECTING ASSEMBLY 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed July l. 1949 Patented June 3, 1952 Titlfll/I CONNECTIN G ASSEMBLY Herbert D.D"rain',- Chicago, Ill.,-a's'signor to Walter E. Selck: and'v Coi., Chicago, Ill'.'a'.' corporation. of'

Illinois Application Jlly 1, 1949, Sel'alNb. 1025596 (Cl. '31h-'4) 6 Claims. Il

This invention Vis -concerned with a trim connecting'assembly'for connecting adjoining kitchen sink' andtable top' cabinet' units.

A standard type of kitchen sink unit is pro'- vided commercially for installation along `with other cabinet units of' the table top typeY which comprises a` c'ompartmented base cabinet having a unitary' sink structure mounted on the top thereof the edges of which are rounded and provided with a downwardly extending marginal flange of substantial depth which flange pro"-l jects outwardly of the surfaces of the front and ends of the base cabinet. This type of sink is designed for installation adjacent Ato or between table top cabinets which generally comprise a linoleum or plasticrcovered top set on a base cabinet, with the edges of the top projecting outwardly somedistance from the front and end surfaces of the base. When the sink unit is installed wi'th the rounded edge or rolled rim of the metal sink` abutted against the squared edge of an' adjoining cabinet top a groove-like space between the units results which breaks the top surfaces' and which is difficult to keep clean. Also variations inthe width of the respective units frequently results in the front edges of adjoining units` being out of alignment as well as being separated by a groove due to the rounded corners on the sink top.

It is an object of the present invention to 'pro-v vide a connecting strip assembly for closing the space between the top edges of adjoining sink and cabinet units, which connecting strip will provide a relatively smooth connection between the top surfaces4 of the units, which will assist in holding the units in rigid relation and whichk will joinl the front edge molding or trim of the cabinet unit to the front edge of the sink unit in a satisfactory manner.

It is another object of the invention to provide a trim strip connector assembly between adjoining sink and counter top cabinet installations, which will provide a relatively smooth surface between the adjoining top and front' edge surfaces of the units, and which is readily adapted for installation with units of slightly different top widths and somewhat different edge constructions.

It is a more' specic object of the invention to provide a trim strip connector assembly for joining the topsurfaces and front edges of a rolled' rim cabinet sink unit and an adjoining work top cabinet unit which assembly comprises a bottom strip member of inverted generally U-shaped cross section having laterally extending flanges along' the bottom edges which are adapted to project beneath the* bottom edges of the adjacent sink riml and cabinet top membersl with the body of the member positioned in the space between the units; a top connector strip member adapted to overlap the top marginal edges of the' sink rimand cabinet top and to bridge the space between the units, fastener members for rigidly securing the topand bottom strip members' toeach other, a top cover strip member adapted tov be interlockingly engaged with the top connector stripmemberto conceal the fastening' members and' provide a relatively smooth continuous surfacebetween the top of the units, anI adapter block member of generally rectangular shape which is positioned at the front edges of the units and -a fastening member for securing the adapter block to a front ilange on the bottom strip member', the connector block memberbeing adapted to have its end walls cut away to conform tothe contour of the front edges of the adjoining uni-ts and to provide a connection between the same.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the device shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 a perspective view of a table top base cabinet unit and portions of an adjoining roll rim sink cabinet' unit which are connected with a trim strip connector assembly made in accordance with the principles of this invention;

Fig. 2' is a plan view of the trim strip connector assembly' shown in Fig, 1 to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3.-3 of Fig. 2 to anenlfarged scale;

Fig'. 4 is a perspective view of the iront edge adapter block member andJ a portion of the top cover member;

Fig. 5 is a perspective Viewv of the trim strip connector assenilfil'yl shown in Fig. 1 with the connector assembly partially separated and in position for' nal installation;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the trim strip connector assembly shown in Fig. 1 with the front edge adapter block member and the top cover strip member removed;

Fig. '7 is a cross section similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified construction of the trim strip connector assembly; and

Fig'. 8 is a cross section similar to Fig. 7 showing the trim connector strip assembly installed without the ybottom connector strip member.

Referring tov Figs. 1 to 6, there is illustrated. a trim strip connector assembly which embodies the principles of the invention and which is illustrated in connection with a rolled rim cabinet sink unit installed adjacent to a table top cabinet unit, the latter having a top member with the marginal edges projecting an appreciable distance beyond the adjacent vertical wall surfaces but not extending beyond the front vertical wall surface of the unit the same distance as the front marginal top edge of the adjoining sink unit.

The trim strip connector assembly l comprises a bottom connector strip member (Fig. 3) which is of inverted generally U-shaped section having a top or base portion I2 and side or leg members I3, I4 which terminate in laterally outwardly projecting anges |5 and I6. At the front end the bottom member I| (Fig. 6) is provided with an inturned flange or front wall |1.

The base portion |2 is provided with spaced screw-receiving apertures I8 and the front Wall section i1 is provided with a screw-receiving aperture I9. The bottom member I I is adapted to be positioned in the space 29 between the opposed edges of the top of the sink unit 2| and the top of the adjoining table top cabinet unit 22.

As shown in Fig. 3, the sink unit 2| is provided with a unitary top member 23 having a rounded edge 24 and a down-turned apron or flange 25 which extends an appreciable distance below the top surface and forms an apron or rim around the front and ends of the base 26 on which the top 2| is supported. The flange 25 extends outwardly some distance from and overhangs the adjacent Wall of the base 26. In the conventional arrangement the sink unit 2| is placed in alignment with and adjoining the table top cabinet unit 22. The latter is provided with a table or work top 21 which may be plyboard covered with linoleum 28. At the front and end margins of the cabinet unit 22 the top 21 extends outwardly of the adjoining wall of the base 29 an appreciable distance and may be increased in depth to provide a relatively wide rim or edge at 36.

The bottom connector member I I is adapted to be positioned in the space between the sink unit 2| and the cabinet unit 22 with the flanges I5 and I6 extending beneath the bottom edges of the rim portions 25 and 39 of the units and with the base portion I2 of the member facing upwardly. When in proper position the bottom connector member -forms an anchor or securing device for a top connector member 3|.

The top connector member 3| is a relatively long fiat strip or section of extruded aluminum, or similar material, which has suiiicient width to extend over the marginal edges of the top 23 of the sini; unit 2| and the top 21 of the cabinet unit 22. The top member 3| is curved slightly downwardly at the marginal side edges 32 to insure a line contact with the top surfaces of the units. rFhe top member 3| is provided along its longitudinal center line with a shallow groove or recess 33 of substantial width and a series of spaced apertiues 34 for receiving securing screws 35 which are adapted to be engaged in threaded relation in the apertures I3 in the bottom connector member II. The side walls defining the groove 33 are tapered inwardly to provide a ribV formation 36 for engaging in longitudinal sliding relation in grooves 231 provided in the side edges of a top cover strip 38 which is adapted to be positioned in the groove 33 for concealing the heads of the screws 35. The cover strip 38 is rounded on the top surface to conform generally with the top surface of the member 3| and is relieved on its inner or bottom surface sufficiently to clear any projecting heads of the screws 35. When the top connector member 3| is installed in proper position over the groove 20 it terminates short of the forward edge of both sink unit 2| and cabinet unit 22.

An adapter block member 39 is provided for positioning at the front edge of the adjoining units and is arranged to provide a connection between the unaligned front margins of the tops on the adjoining units. As shown in Fig. 4 the adapter member 39 comprises a top section for f joining with the top connector member 3| having a widened forward portion 40, an angularly related front surface 4| and end anges 42 and .43. The top portion 40 is provided with a central groove 44 which is adapted to align with and form a continuation of the groove 33 and which includes side wall rib formations 45 for reception in the grooves 31 on the cover member 33. The groove 44 extends to a vertical groove 46 in the front face 4| of the member 39. The front face 4| is apertured at 41 for a purpose which will be described. The side walls or flanges 42 and 43 of the block member 39 are relatively thin and are adapted to be cut away before final installation to conform to the front edges of the top members on the respective units 2| and 22, as indicated in dotted lines at 49 and 49, respectively. The front groove 46 is adapted to receive an angular end portion 5i) on the cover member 38 which is provided with a screw receiving aperture 5| adapted to align with the aperture 41 in the groove 46.

The connector assembly I0 is installed on the units after they are placed in aligned and adjoining position by first inserting the bottom connector member I| in the position shown in Fig. 6 and loosely supporting the same by screws 35 depending from the top connector member 3 I, the latter being positioned in its approximate location Vas indicated in Fig. 6. Thereafter the adapter block 39 is assembled with the top cover member 38 and the latter is slid into the groove 33 so that the portions of the walls 42 and 43 which are to be cut away to provide a t may be marked or scored with a suitable tool. The end walls 42 and 43 of the adapter member 39 are then cut so that they conform to the front edges of the tops of the units. Thereafter the adapter block 39 is assembled with the cover strip 38 and with the top connector member 3| and all the members are properly located relative to the units. The top cover member 36 is slid forward to expose the heads of the screws 35 which may then be tightened to rigidly secure the bottom connector member in clamping relation with the top connector member 3|. The cover member 38 is finally positioned in the groove 33 with the adapter 39 in proper position at the front edge of the units and a screw 52 is posi. tioned in the apertures 5|, 41 and threadedly engaged in the aperture I9 in the bottom connector member II. In this manner the entire assembly is rigidly secured in connecting relation with the cabinet units.

In some installations the overhanging marginal edge of a work unit may not extend downwardly the same vertical distance as the flange of the sink cabinet unit. A suitable ller strip may be nailed or otherwise fastened to the bottom surface of the overhanging edge of the cabinet unit for engagement by the ange I6 of the* Work cabinet unit. The space between the front surfaces of the cabinet units 2| and 22 may be lled by a strip 53, secured in any conventional manner.

When it is desired to install the sink unit adjacent to a work cabinet unit which does not have an overhanging edge portion on the top, the connector assembly may be provided with a modified form of bottom connector member 60 in which one leg 6i is cut away for installation as shown in Fig. 7. The top connector member, the cover strip and the fastening screws are the same as in the rst described form and are indicated by the same numerals. The members are installed in the same manner.

In some installations it may be possible to position the sink cabinet unit relatively close to the adjoiningr edge of a work cabinet unit as shown in Fig. 8. 'Ihe bottom connector member may then be omitted entirely and the top connector member may be positioned off center relative to the edge of the work cabinet as illustrated and secured with screws 35 directly to the top of the work cabinet, the front adapter block and the cover member being secured by screw 52 directly to the front edge of the workcabinet.

While specic materials and particular details of construction have been referred to in describing the illustrated forms of the invention, it will be understood that other materials and details of construction are contemplated within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A trim connector assembly for bridging the space between adjoining sink and cabinet units, comprising a bottom strip member of inverted generally U-shaped cross section having laterally projecting flanges arranged for positioning beneath the bottom edge of the ange on the top of the sink unit and the overhanging marginal edge of the top of the adjoining cabinet unit with the body of said bottom member extending upwardly in the space between the units when the assembly is installed therebetween, a top strip member having side anges for bridging the top surfaces of the sink and cabinet units, said top strip having a relatively wide groove in the top surface thereof and being provided with spaced screw-receiving apertures in said groove, screws for connecting said top and bottom strip members in clamping relation to said sink ange and cabinet top and a covering strip to be secured in interlocking relation in said groove.

2. A trim connector assembly as recited in claim 1 and a block member, arranged for positioning at the front of said top strip to bridge the space between the front marginal edges of the top members of the adjoining units, said block member having portions which are adapted to be cut away to fit said block member to the front edges of said unit top members.

3. In a trim assembly for covering the space between adjoining sink and work table units which is characterized by a bottom strip member having laterally projecting portions arranged for positioning beneath adjoining marginal portions of the sink top and the work table top and a top strip member arranged for securing to said bottom strip member in position over the space between the adjoining surfaces of the sink and work table tops, a front edge connecting element having inwardly extending lateral edges which are adapted to be cut away to conform to the contour of said sink top and work table top front edges, and means for securing said front edge connecting element to said bottom strip member.

4. In a trim assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said top strip member and said front edge connecting element are provided with axially extending grooves, `and a cover member adapted to be slidably positioned in the groove in said top strip member and having a portion receivable in the groove in said front edge connecting member.

' 5. In a trim connector assembly for bridging the space between adjoining sink and work table units which is characterized by a bottom strip member having laterally projecting flanges arranged to be positioned beneath the bottom edge of the marginal flange of the sink unit and the overhanging marginal edge of the work table unit, said bottom strip member having portions adapted to extend upwardly in the space between the units, a top strip member arranged to connect the top surfaces of the sink and table units, said top strip member having a longitudinal recess in the top surface thereof and being provided with fastener members for connecting said top and bottom strip members in clamping relation to said sink ange and said table top, a covering strip arranged to be secured in said recess, and an adapter block for connecting the front marginal edges of the sink and work table units, said adapted block having means for interlocking engagement with said covering strip.

6. In a trim connector assembly for bridging the space between adjoining sink and work table units which is characterized by a bottom strip member having laterally projecting portions arranged for positioning beneath projecting marginal portions of the sink top and the work table top with the body of said bottom strip member positioned in the space between the units, a top strip member arranged for extending over the space between the top surfaces of the sink and work table and having fasteners for connecting said top and bottom strip member in clamping relation to said sink top and work table top, said top strip member being provided with an axially extending fastener receiving groove, a front edge connector member having a groove arranged for positioning in alignment with the groove in said top strip member, a cover member slidable in` said grooves, and means for securing said members in assembled relation.

HERBERT D. DRAIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number n Name Date 1,520,518 Thompson Dec. 23, 1924 1,576,527 McBride Mar. 16, 1927 1,900,769 Schemmel Mar. 7, 1933 2,116,846 Plicher May 10, 1938 2,158,467 Madsen May 16, 1939 2,166,196 Rosenberg July 18, 1939 2,208,878 Wiley July 2.3, 1940 2,280,094 Madsen Apr. 21, 1942 2,284,422 Hall May 26, 1942 2,316,035 Westrope Apr. 6, 1943 2,327,743 Rosenberg Aug. 4, 1943 2,329,688 Bedford, Jr. Sept. 2'1, 1943 2,464,160 Stanitz Mar. 8, 1949 

